Fire hits 31 houses in Silay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – At least 31 houses were razed by fire at Sitio Dakuta Dako, Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental Tuesday, Feb. 22.

29 were burned to the ground while two others were damaged, according to Inspector Rufino Tañedo, city fire marshal.

Tañedo said they received a call for assistance around 12:25 p.m. But firefighters had difficulty penetrating the area at first because some residents blocked the way to the fire scene.

The passageway was also narrow and too long, but fire fighters immediately identified the main area and cordoned it off to prevent the blaze from reaching other houses, Tañedo said.

“Dikit-dikit abi mga balay, and congested area, so gin cordon namon both sides para indi na maglapta,” he added.

Tañedo said they have yet to determine the cause of fire, but they are looking into electrical causes. No injuries were reported.

The cost of damage has yet to be determined. Fire out was declared around 1:56 p.m.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mark Golez said the city government will extend financial assistance to the fire victims who were temporarily sheltered at Mambulac Elementary School.

Based on the data from the local government, 191 persons were affected.

Fourteen families composed of 65 individuals were housed at the evacuation center, while 29 families composed of 126 persons were outside the evacuation center.